LUVTruck.com

I know this could be getting wore out but i have not seen a defined answer if the 2.3 head will fit the 2.6 or what will interchange and what will work and what wont.Also the power gain if any as i am looking for a torque setup witch gives the best economy.

I found both motors still in the Troopers so now there is the 5sp that will work and the disc brake rear assy.I also was looking for the pics that were posted on the 5sp conversion but couldn't find them.All the parts are there for a complete conversion on my 80 4X4 and i am looking for info before i buy them.

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1978 pro street step/side 455Buick, 4sp,4.11s, 31/18.5s

The 2.3 carb intake, distributor, and ignition module/coil fits on the 2.6 and that engine pumps out 125 hp stock - with all of the factory smog stuff and the factory A/C connected. So go from there when you make any mods to it.

Use the 2.6 head for max torque/hp, and if you can convert over to the 5 speed with the trooper disc brake rearend - there's gonna be a lot of 4X4 owners jealous of you around here.

Congrats!

the 2.3 head will work with the 2.6 block...the only catch is you HAVE to use the stock cam...if you don't you'll end up with a bunch of busted valves and a ruined engine. I personally would not go this route, like Tazz said go with the 2.6 head and just swap the intake, and ignition over to the 2.6.

And Tazz...I wouldn't be jealous...I already have all of those things, just not on my Luv

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'80 Luv 4x4, 3" BL, 1.5" SL, 32/36, 2.25" exhaust...and fuzzy dice.
'95 Toyota 4Runner Limited 5-Speed.

I'm with rezkid, stick with the 2.6 head/block and bolt the intake off the 2.3 on it. You can bolt the 2.3 head on the 2.6 for a compression bump, but you'll have to be a lot more careful watching for detonation and such and the HP gain is not as big as the hassle IMHO.

For ease of install, take the 5spd off the 2.3 so you have the cable clutch, the 2.6 block/head, 2.3 intake and ignition system. Then grab the 12 bolt isuzu disc brake rear and the 4.56 front diff from the 2.3 truck. Last, drop the bigger vented discs off the 2.3 truck and the calipers. The end result will go faster, get better mileage, and stop better than your stock LUV and it will all look like it pretty much belongs under the hood.

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95 Isuzu Trooper Daily Driver
86 Isuzu Trooper reliable backup
77 LUV 2wd stock beltway blaster (resting)
79 4x4 LUV project: 2.6L, 5spd, 31s (eventually)

MEPR: Man, my 4x4 makes all other LUVs look good

IMO your better off using the trans from the 2.6L (MUA). Its bigger and beefier than the one behind the 2.3L (MSG). The benifit you get from the stronger box far outweighs the hassles of fitting in hydraulics for the clutch up the cab end.
And if the 2.6L box ever does crap out you can fit the smaller 2.3L box and the hydraulic clutch will work with the right clutch fork.



Leave the 2.6L head on unless your going on a rebuild adventure. If the head was off id give it a go. Dummy it up see what gives.


You will have to use the 2.6L cam gear as it is a different pitch to the 2.3 & 2L motors. Id still use the 2.6L cam.


Bob.

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Current project, 1979 KB Isuzu Ute.

Daily driver, '86 Rodeo Spacecab.
Chasing parts for Isuzu Impulse.

So rodeobob you are saying that the 2.6 cam will fit the 2.3 head? And if is so then i can get better compression and the bigger cam although i feel i will have to do some valve clearance checking and adjustments.

As for high compression motors i have run many of them on the street with no problem as i do know that the exhaust system and the timing curve need to be worked

As for the change over to a hyd. clutch is a very simple project as all you need is the hyd. clutch peddle and drill and cut the existing hole in the firewall witch is what i did on my stepside that is in my avatar.

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1978 pro street step/side 455Buick, 4sp,4.11s, 31/18.5s

Hey, if you have a 2.6, make sure it's a post 88 casting. Midyear 87 and before 2.6's had bad heads castings that loved to crack.

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Hold on to your lug nuts, it's time for an Overhaul!!!!!!!!!

Ive never actually checked but as long as the 2.6L cam has the do-hickey to run the pushrod for the fuel pump it will work. Whats it called??? Eccentric lobe or somethin.


Bob.

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Current project, 1979 KB Isuzu Ute.

Daily driver, '86 Rodeo Spacecab.
Chasing parts for Isuzu Impulse.

Not worried about the fuel pump as i am using a electric one.

Rainman105 thanks for the info i will check the manf date and locate another head if need be.

I am going to be off work for about a month( between jobs hauling windmill towers)so i am going to dig in to this project pretty hard even if i have to buy both Troopers to make it work.I sure do like the info as it will give me a better start and if i can get this off the ground i will take alot of pics to document the build.

Thanks guys and keep the info coming

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1978 pro street step/side 455Buick, 4sp,4.11s, 31/18.5s

Just lift the cab off the luv and drop it on the trooper chassis.



Bob.

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Current project, 1979 KB Isuzu Ute.

Daily driver, '86 Rodeo Spacecab.
Chasing parts for Isuzu Impulse.

Just a note on the cams. From what I recall hearing and researching up there are basically two cam profiles for the 2.3L and 2.6L motors. (I'm ignoring the 2.0L turbo motor, as I'm not certain what cam it gets being a turbo) The first is the basic truck motor cam, used in Trooper and Pickup in all 2.3L motors, and 2.6L motors up to I believe 1992ish. The second cam option is the same lift, but 6 degrees more duration and was first found on the 2.3L FI motor used in the Impulse (88-89 non-turbo). That same cam profile was put into the 2.6L motors in 1992ish. All of the ones I've seen have the lobe in the middle to run the mechanical fuel pump, but I'd highly recommend blocking off the hole and running electric. When the mech pump dies (and it will) it is almost easier to pull the motor to replace it.

Like I said above, there is probably a third option in the cam from the turbo car, but it could be the same as the impulse non-turbo cam. I'll have to check my Imp parts books to see if they use the same part number. And, you can always send a cam to deltacams and get it ground to a better profile.

My trooper right now has the motor from a 2.3L non-turbo Impulse. Besides the cam, the intake ports are bigger, the valves are bigger (same size as 2.6L), and there is a bit more compression than a 2.3L you'd find in a pickup or trooper. I don't know what kind of difference the cam makes, but this motor does have a bit more oomf than the truck 2.3L it replaced , but a surprising drop in gas mileage of 3-7MPG.

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95 Isuzu Trooper Daily Driver
86 Isuzu Trooper reliable backup
77 LUV 2wd stock beltway blaster (resting)
79 4x4 LUV project: 2.6L, 5spd, 31s (eventually)

MEPR: Man, my 4x4 makes all other LUVs look good

Nah the non turbo was a G200Z. Might be the same profile but its a totally different cam.

Heres the 4ZE1 specs. The early motor.
http://www.ozgemini.com/forums/tech/viewtopic.php?t=6770

The other motors share the same specs. I can hunt them up if you want.
4ZC1-T 4ZD1 are the same according to my Isuzu manuals. As far as i rememeber they are the same specs as the G-series motors.


Bob.

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Current project, 1979 KB Isuzu Ute.

Daily driver, '86 Rodeo Spacecab.
Chasing parts for Isuzu Impulse.

Yes the early 2.6 heads were known to crack, and blow the HG's. When you're looking at the head you'll want a casting number of 4 or 5...these where the best factory heads. I got around the problem by getting a Clearwater head...lots beefier than the factory piece (this was after blowing the head again with a cast #5 head) AMC also makes a replacement head that's beefier than the factory piece. These have improved cooling jackets and are much less likely to blow, I've also heard that the improved cooling gets rid of the #3 cylinder exhaust valve burning ( can't verify this yet, we'll see as time tells)

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'80 Luv 4x4, 3" BL, 1.5" SL, 32/36, 2.25" exhaust...and fuzzy dice.
'95 Toyota 4Runner Limited 5-Speed.

Personally...I think you'd be better off with using the 2.6 head so that you can run a beefier cam. Using the 2.3 head on a 2.6 block really limits what cam size you can use. BTW...that's the same problem you run into when you try to use a bigger cam in a 1.9 G200z Impulse engine because of the taller flat top pistons the Impulse 1.9 G200z has. And just like 800xl...I noticed a drop in gas mileage when I went from a stock G180 with a weber 32/36 to the G200z Impulse engine with a weber 38/38 and a slightly bigger than stock cam - plus it pings like hell under a load unless I run Super gas. But IMHO - it's sure is worth it considering the power I gained.

And I agree the aftermarket 2.6 heads are way better than even the newer improved #4 and above stock ones. A local guy here where I live has a shortbed Pup with a 2.6 using the 2.3 intake and distributor/ignition module with a 5 speed, a Delta cam, a header, and a weber 38/38...and it's a little screamer. He keep popping head gaskets untill he installed an aftermarket head.

He keeps trying to talk me out of my extra stepside bed for his Pup...but I keep telling him it's either going on a Luv or staying stored in my shop...lol

Might be different down there, but in the US they switched motors on the non-turbo Impulse in 88 and 89 to a 4ZD1 2.3L fuel injected motor instead of the G200. It meant a bump from 90HP to 110HP and moved all the 4 cylinders being shipped here into the 4Zx1 family. Here is a link to more info, scroll down to see the 88-89 non turbo data:
http://www.isuzuperformance.com/isupage/hist/specimpjr.html

I scored a wrecked 88 and pulled that motor for my Trooper a couple years ago.

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95 Isuzu Trooper Daily Driver
86 Isuzu Trooper reliable backup
77 LUV 2wd stock beltway blaster (resting)
79 4x4 LUV project: 2.6L, 5spd, 31s (eventually)

MEPR: Man, my 4x4 makes all other LUVs look good

Yeah my bad. I knew it that, my brain wasnt in gear, your right it was different down here.

All we got was the turbo in 86 & 87. They couldnt move them as they were way too expensive and got bad press, so they lost out on what they had and didnt order any more from Japan.

The non turbos we have got down here are are G200Z/G200W. They are all private imports or from half cuts.

Im thinking that 2.3L efi thing might be LHD only?? Dont recall ever seeing one in any Japan pics.


A bit more on the Impulse differences. We had a fuel only ECGI Efi system on our turbos. 110kw. You guys got I-tec fuel and spark and only managed 120HP. I cant work that one out.


Bob.

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Current project, 1979 KB Isuzu Ute.

Daily driver, '86 Rodeo Spacecab.
Chasing parts for Isuzu Impulse.